Greetings from Miami, friends!
Though I may be out of town this weekend, most weekends you can find me relaxing at home in Dallas. Or not at all relaxing. On a free weekend, there is nothing I love more than to go out, adventure, and generally play tourist in my home city.
Every weekend is like a staycation… and I’m always recommending taking a weekend to play tourist in your own city to all of my friends.
Keep reading for my best tips for how to play tourist in your own city (and for an amazing giveaway!).
A crucial part of any day during which you play tourist in your own city is acting like you’re on vacation. That means exploring the city’s museums, different neighborhoods, and – almost most of all – living that hotel life. But more on that last bit later.
When I’m spending a weekend doing a staycation aka exploring my own city, I try to stick to the same schedule I’d have while on vacation:
- Do a walking-heavy activity.
- Have a leisurely brunch.
- Check out a museum or explore an area.
- Take a nap.
- Go for a late(ish) dinner.
- Take a bath, watch a movie, and go to sleep.
Any friend who has accompanied me on some travels will recognize that schedule. As will any friend who has joined me for a full day any weekend I’m home. What can I say? I’m a woman who likes routine.
How to Play Tourist in Your Own City
If you’re going to play tourist in your own city, I would recommend you emulate that schedule. No matter where you are, it works.
In Austin, I would kickstart my day with a walk around Town Lake (aka Lady Bird Lake), grab brunch with a friend at some fun spot (I’ve lately liked Launderette and Tiny Boxwoods), and then spend the afternoon either exploring the Blanton, the LBJ Museum, or wandering around South Congress before a late dinner with friends at Elizabeth Street Cafe (my favorite). Similarly, in Dallas, I like to start off with either a trip to the Farmer’s Market or a walk on the Katy Trail. I follow that with brunch (my staycation faves right now are Henry’s Majestic and Overeasy) and a trip to either the Dallas Museum of Art (last referenced here) or the George W Bush Museum.
Any time I take a staycation, I try to explore somewhere new in Dallas. That might be an adventure out to a different part of town. It might be a new museum. Heck, it might just be trying out a few new restaurants. I just try to take myself out of my usual bubble and explore the city I call home.
And then I come home and pretend like it’s a hotel. That means bubble bath, face mask, the whole shebang… and then lounging around in my favorite plush bathrobe for as long as humanly possible.
Oh and PS – you can score everything you need to turn your house into a hotel for your upcoming staycation by entering the giveaway below!
Win a $400 Amazon Gift Card!
Win a $400 Amazon Gift Card by just giving a few minutes of your time!
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What are your best tips to help you play tourist in your own city? Let me know in the comments below!